PAL passengers can avail of faster checks at US airports

ABS-CBN News

MANILA - Passengers on Philippine Airlines flights from the US can avail of faster screening under a Department of Homeland Security scheme for "low-risk" travelers, the US government said Friday.

Passengers who get approval from the Transportation Security Administration no longer need to remove their shoes, belts and light jackets or take out liquids from their bags, the TSA said on its website.

Philippine Airlines qualified under the TSA along with Air France, Brussels Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and World Atlantic, bringing the total number of carriers under the scheme to 47, the TSA said.

The Filipino carrier said in a separate statement that its passengers could avail of the scheme starting Friday for flights out of Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York (JFK), Honolulu and Guam.

"We are pleased to be part of the Pre-Check program so that our eligible flyers may go through screening lanes with ease and speed, while at the same time enhancing the security check procedure out of the United States,” PAL president Jaime Bautista said.